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There is no such thing as an ordinary face - and if you think there is, you aren't looking close enough.

Saturday, 8 October 2011

Photography Fun

During my stint as Artist in Residence for the Wigtown Book Festival, I found myself reflecting on the fact it often feels I’m part photographer, part psychotherapist.

When upward of 90% of people use the opening line, “I hate having my photo taken…” the majority of my time is spent not using the camera, but reassuring, explaining and trying to build a sense of connection and trust with the person in front of me.

So when I encounter a rare individual who is perfectly comfortable in front of the lens right from the start, it’s a pure delight – especially when they are then up for playing.

One such person I discovered during the festival was Peggy.

When I photographed her for the wall of The Hut I was immediately struck by her appearance. With short dark hair, and large rimmed glasses she had an almost iconic look, and when I converted the image to black and white, I was reminded of a kind of 1950s Beatnik style.

Of course one of the things about having such a striking outward style, is people will fix on it as the key identifying trait. So if Peggy was to remove her glasses and change her hairstyle, the chances are she could walk right past most people who know her and they wouldn’t even realise it was her.

With my love of faces, I found myself wanting to photograph her without her glasses. She was up for the idea, but we didn’t then get the chance until the very last evening of the Festival. By then it was dark and the only available light was on the stairs, and that wasn’t particularly great. However, black and white gives more options under these circumstances, so I felt it was still worth going for.

What’s great about Peggy from my point of view is she instantly understood photography is all about storytelling. So no need to be shy in front of the camera – rather it was a chance to play. She fished out some bright red lipstick and between us we came up with the idea of having it smeared, but with an unapologetic, even aggressive expression.

Within a few short minutes we’d created another almost iconic image.

Such fun!

Peggy is also the Programme Director of the West Port Book Festival in Edinburgh, which this year is happening from the 13th to 16th of October.

2 comments:

Well done re the Artist In Residence. In my limited experience of portrait photography - which I love but rarely have the chance to pursue - someone who 'gives' to the camera is a photographer's gift. Establishing a rapport is essential, and being able to put your subject at ease is incredibly demanding emotionally. It's a real skill. You obviously have it!

Introduction

This blog has been created specifically for documenting my experience as Artist in Residence at the 2011 Wigtown Book Festival.

Please feel free to "Follow", leave comments, ask questions, and spread the word. And if you are in Wigtown between Sept 23rd and Oct 2nd, then please seek me out and get your photo taken.

"The Hut" (Venue 7 in the brochure) is open 10.30am to 12.30pm most days and at various random hours - check board outside to see if I'm in.

Alternatively, if you are in Wigtown and would like your photo taken to be added to the wall of The Hut, if you see me in the street or a cafe, please come up and say hello - I'm really quite approachable.